Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Kelly Oubre Jr., G Devonte’ Graham
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G D’Angelo Russell
We can assume that the Pelicans won’t be interested in a straight-up swap involving any of their incumbent players making a salary that matches Russell’s. A three-team deal is probably necessary to make anything happen here.
After all, CJ McCollum was actually able to fill the point guard spot admirably for them for significant stretches of 2021-22. He’s generally a better player than Russell. Plus, the Wolves don’t need him anyway.
More importantly, Brandon Ingram would clearly be off the table for Russell. There’s really no need to elaborate on that.
This deal makes sense for all parties involved. The Hornets get the big man they desperately need. With Jaxson Hayes emerging as a high-quality player, he’s expendable to the Pelicans. Meanwhile, the Wolves don’t lose depth at the point guard spot and add a nice, versatile wing in Kelly Oubre Jr.
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Granted, he’s a starting-caliber player who they won’t necessarily have a starting spot for. That’s perfectly fine. They can shift Edwards to his natural shooting guard spot and bring Beasley off the bench. They can designate Oubre as sixth man and have him back Edwards up, and play the four in ultra-small lineups. Adding him makes them a better, more versatile team.
Finally, the Pelicans get their point guard. They’ll struggle defensively in 2022-23, but that was probably true already. A lineup of Russell, McCollum, Ingram, Williamson, and Hayes will have the potential to outscore everybody.
